BUS 372 wk 1 Disc.2.. Replies DUE TODAY (DO NOT CHANGE THE PRICE) IF YOU DO I WILL NOT SEND A HANDSHAKE.

Respond to at least two of your peers’ posts.  Utilize the course text, weekly lecture, and at least one other scholarly source. Remember to properly cite your sources. please place the name and number next to the response.

#3Shannon Lane

WednesdayAug 16 at 3:04pm

Manage Discussion Entry

The driving forces of unionization go back to the 1800s when businesses faced large expansions and employers began to disregard the care of their workers. According to Seaquist (2015), with business expansion and fierce competition in the workplace, lower wages and new work environment caused workers to feel unappreciated (p. 2.1). They sought better conditions and came to the idea of forming unions to work together and demand the pay and working conditions they deserved.

One of the first risks works in unions had to worry about was the legality of unionization. Employers wanted to charge their workers for conspiracy and courts needed to determine whether unions were a legal force and what rights workers truly had. After the case Commonwealth v. Pullis, which prohibited works from unionizing, workers thought it was too risky to try again, and so they did not until a later case ruled that unionization was legal. Although it was a failure the first time around, unionization took a big lift off in the late 1800s, where workers did what they would to demand better conditions like higher wages and shorter hours.

Another sacrifice made by workers throughout these unions is job security. A great example of this is The Great Railway Strike, where workers went on strike and employers decided to just hire all new workers. The workers on strike retaliated, and this ended in a mob that resulted in injuries, and there was nothing getting done. This was a good experience, though, because it led to the formation of organized groups to obtain the results they wanted. Seaquist (2015) states that “The uprising became known as “The Great Strike” and demonstrated the need for a cohesive organization if any goals were to be accomplished” (p. 2.2). From there, civilized groups like The Knights of Labor were created, and unions began to show success in their actions.

I would say these sacrifices were worth the effort because, in the end, working conditions began to improve for workers. Although workers had to endure violence and challenges in their demands, these unions brought the labor movement to where it needed to be for the government to finally make important changes.

References

Seaquist, G. (2015). Employee and labor relations: A practical guide. San Diego: Bridgepoint Education.

#4 Erick Martinez

ThursdayAug 17 at 9:09pm

Manage Discussion Entry

What were the driving forces that led people to sacrifice so much to form unions? Was it worth it? What benefits were derived? What sacrifices were made?

The forces that led to unions as mentioned by Seaquist (2015), "Historically, labor unions first formed when employees became tired of suffering brutal working conditions that featured few rules governing the number of hours worked, safety of conditions, or fair pay" (sec 1.2).The conditions in which employees had to endure was horrible and most of all unsafe. Unions helped with workplace conditions and with wages. Yes, it was worth it as it made the working conditions better as well as improved the wages. According to Seaquist (2015), "Dissatisfaction with working conditions combined with management's refusal to deal with complaints is one of the most powerful and motivating reasons workers feel the need to unionize" (sec 1.3). Some of the benefits included protected rights as an employee and a representative that will fight on your behalf. There were sacrifices made by employees that included job loss. The companies did not care and found other employees to replace them with. An example of this would be the "Great Railway Strike of 1877" in which employees went on strike only to be replaced by other workers. Seaquist (2015) described the great strike as, "demonstrated the need for a cohesive organization if any goals were to be accomplished" (sec 2.2). So even though many people lost their jobs the strike set an example.

Reference

Seaquist, G. (2015). Employee and labor relations: A practical guide. San Diego: Bridgepoint Education